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LettersWhy Trump’s America should stop meddling in Venezuela
- There is no justification for the US threat of forcing a regime change in Venezuela, even if claims that Maduro’s re-election was rigged were true: Trump did not win the popular vote in 2016
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Just some thoughts on the latest development in the United States’ interference in another sovereignty – this time, Venezuela. Putting aside the merits and demerits of removing the corrupt regime of Nicolas Maduro from power, the legitimacy of facilitating a change of regime in another sovereign nation by force should definitely be a cause for concern (“Pompeo keeps open military option for Venezuela”, February 27).
Although there are claims that Maduro’s re-election was rigged and I have no doubt there is some truth in them, I still believe that it is morally, if not legally, wrong to bring force to bear on another country, when it poses no direct threat to your own.
Invading another country inevitably creates bloodshed and chaos, which take years to recover from. Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few, are cases in point.
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Can you imagine if the shoe were on the other foot? Consider this scenario: Venezuela does not recognise the legitimacy of Donald Trump as president of the United States because he was chosen not by his own people (he lost in the popular vote) but by the electoral college. He is also allegedly corrupt, dishonest and a disgrace to his country. So Venezuela threatens to send troops to the US unless Trump steps down.
Now, do you think this scenario will sit well with Western allies and the rest of the world? I shouldn’t think so.
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Cecilia Clinch, MacDonnell Road
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